Assessment of Salinity Effect on Germination, Growth and Yield of Solanum lycopersicum (L.)

Authors

  • Joshua D. BUAH University of Ilorin, Faculty of Life Science, Department of Plant Biology, Nigeria (NG)
  • Kehinde S. OLORUNMAIYE University of Ilorin, Faculty of Life Science, Department of Plant Biology, Nigeria
  • Yila G. LAKWANNUM Gombe State University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences , Nigeria
  • Elizabeth K. ALE University of Ilorin, Faculty of Life Science, Department of Plant Biology, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nsb839848

Abstract

This study was aimed at unraveling the morphological effect of salinity on germination, growth and yield of S. lycopersicum, through inducement of salinity (0, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g NaCl). All the parameters considered: germination percentage, leaves number, stem girth, plant height and fruit quality, were significantly affected by NaCl treatments (salinity) compared with the control (no salinity). 100% germination was recorded only in control and 4 g NaCl concentration, though the percentage of germination was faster in control than within the 4 g NaCl. ‘Tomato UC-83-B’ plants’ growth till maturity, shed leaves, chlorosis and leaf burns around edges occurred due to osmotic imbalance and water deficit caused by salinity, which invariably had effect on leaf area, although the reduction in leaf area varied among tested NaCl concentrations. Fruits yield and quality of ‘Tomato UC-83-B’ treated with NaCl was poor and relative to the degree of saline inducements, with 10 g NaCl treatment producing the least fruits. Chlorophyll contents were also significantly reduced by increasing saline concentrations. Ca and K were the predominant elements found in the digested fruit samples observed under Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) at different NaCl concentrations, while Mg, Na and P were significantly less. Salinity is a major abiotic factor that hampered the overall performance of tomato crop in salient ways and must therefore be curbed in order to meet its increasing global demand.

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Published

2016-09-22

How to Cite

BUAH, J. D., OLORUNMAIYE, K. S., LAKWANNUM, Y. G., & ALE, E. K. (2016). Assessment of Salinity Effect on Germination, Growth and Yield of Solanum lycopersicum (L.). Notulae Scientia Biologicae, 8(3), 342–346. https://doi.org/10.15835/nsb839848

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Section

Research articles
CITATION
DOI: 10.15835/nsb839848

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